Two-stage oil injection into scroll compressors

Abstract

An improved scroll compressor has condition responsive lubricant volume flow. The lubricant is preferably delivered to a tap positioned adjacent the suction chamber such that lubricant is delivered into the scroll compressor in a quantity which is desirable for normal operation of the scroll compressor. A valve is associated with the tap, and restricts the flow of lubricant through the tap to a first more restrictive non-actuated position. If operational conditions within the scroll compressor indicate that a greater lubricant flow would be desirable, the valve moves to an actuated position at which it is less restrictive to the flow of lubricant.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A scroll compressor comprising: 
       a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base;  
       a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, said wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers, and said second scroll member being driven to orbit relative to said first scroll member;  
       an oil supply for supplying a quantity of oil to a suction chamber positioned radially outwardly in at least one of said first and second scroll members, said oil supply including a passage extending through said second scroll member and a condition responsive valve for selectively controlling the amount of oil delivered into said suction chamber dependent on operational conditions in said scroll compressor, said condition responsive valve being positioned adjacent said passage such that said valve selectively allows a more restrictive and less restrictive flow of lubricant through such passage into said suction chamber.  
     
     
       2. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said valve is movable between a non-actuated position at which it restricts the flow of lubricant into said suction passage, and to an actuated position at which it is less restrictive to the flow of lubricant into said suction passage. 
     
     
       3. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said valve is positioned within a chamber in said first scroll member. 
     
     
       4. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said valve includes a bi-metal element which moves between an actuated and a non-actuated position to cause said valve to move between its actuated and non-actuated position. 
     
     
       5. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said bi-metal element is connected to a pin which is selectively forced against said second scroll member when said bi-metal element is moved to said actuated position. 
     
     
       6. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a spring biases said valve to said non-actuated position, and said bi-metal element moves in opposition to the force of said spring. 
     
     
       7. A scroll compressor comprising: 
       a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base;  
       a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, said wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers, and said second scroll member being driven to orbit relative to said first scroll member;  
       an oil supply for supplying a quantity of oil to a suction chamber positioned radially outwardly in at least one of said first and second scroll members, and a condition responsive valve for selectively controlling the amount of oil delivered into said suction chamber dependent on operational conditions in said scroll compressor;  
       said valve being movable between a non-actuated position at which it restricts the flow of lubricant into said suction passage, and to an actuated position at which it is less restrictive to the flow of lubricant into said suction passage; and  
       a piston associated with said valve has a boss of a greater thickness which selectively engages said second scroll member and a clearance portion positioned to have a lesser thickness and which is associated with a lubricant tap, said clearance portion being aligned with said tap when said boss contacts said second scroll member such that said valve is in said first more restrictive position, and said boss being moved away from said second scroll member, and said clearance portion being moved further away from said tap when said valve moves to said actuated position.  
     
     
       8. A scroll compressor comprising: 
       a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base;  
       a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, said wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers, and said second scroll member being driven to orbit relative to said first scroll member; and  
       an oil supply for supplying a quantity of oil through a passage in said second scroll member to a tap extending into a suction chamber positioned radially outwardly of said wrap on said first scroll member, a conditioned responsive valve having a bi-metal element which snaps between an actuated and a non-actuated position dependent on temperature, said valve restricting the flow of lubricant through said tap into said suction chamber when in said non-actuated position, and moving to a less restrictive position in said actuated position.  
     
     
       9. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said bi-metal element is connected to a pin which is selectively forced against said second scroll member when said bi-metal element is moved to said actuated position. 
     
     
       10. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein a spring biases said valve to said non-actuated position, and said bi-metal element moves in opposition to the force of said spring. 
     
     
       11. A scroll compressor as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a piston associated with said valve has a boss of a greater thickness which selectively engages said second scroll member and a clearance portion positioned to have a lesser thickness and which is associated with a lubricant tap, said clearance portion being aligned with said tap when said boss contacts said second scroll member such that said valve is in said first more restrictive position, and said boss being moved away from said second scroll member, and said clearance portion being moved further away from said tap when said valve moves to said actuated position.